THE SEARCH is on for flood volunteers in Braunton to help take action in the community, should flooding occur in the future.

The recruitment drive follows an emergency planning event in the village on January 21, which brought together the police, fire and rescue service, Devon County Council, North Devon Council, Braunton Parish Council and other village representatives.

The parish council is now looking for more flood volunteers to come forward, who would be able to help implement the improved Community Emergency Plan – a result of the severe flooding in 2012.

North Devon Council’s Executive Member for Emergency Planning, Cllr Yvette Gubb, said: “It’s so difficult to predict flooding or the impact it could have on a community. However, Braunton should be congratulated for being proactive and preparing in advance, with plans to recruit more volunteers to help in an emergency.”

Inspector Roger Bartlett, from Devon and Cornwall Police, added: “Braunton is an excellent example of all aspects of the community working together as one. As a police force, we depend on local knowledge to help us with scenarios that we face, so I hope this latest drive will encourage more people to get involved, enabling us all to work more efficiently in the future.”

Simon Tattersall from the local business community said: “Whether businesses rely on flood barriers, sandbags or any other self-help method of keeping water out of their property, the key is awareness - awareness of warnings issued by the Environment Agency, awareness of where sand containers and bags are kept and how best to use them, and awareness of the part everyone in the community can play to mitigate damage. The Community Emergency Plan is one element and it is important that everyone in Braunton should at least have to hand the key numbers to call if necessary.”

To find out more about the role of flood volunteers in Braunton and how you could help, phone 01271 812131 or email braunton_parish_council@northdevon.gov.uk.